- Argentinians are reportedly turning to VPN services
- Proton VPN and Windscribe have seen spikes in interest
- This coincides with the blocking of two major illegal streaming sites.
People in Argentina are turning to VPN services as the government clamps down on illegal streaming.
Two popular brands, Proton VPN and Windscribe, started seeing a surge in interest in the country on Monday. The latest data from Google Trends confirms the trend, showing an increase in searches for the term ‘VPN’ that peaked on Tuesday.
The move follows the government’s decision to permanently block two popular pirated streaming platforms earlier this month.
Why are Argentines flocking to VPNs?
Local media report that authorities recently blocked more than 70 domains used to access the two illegal services. Google has also been forced to disable associated applications on all Android devices that connect from Argentine IP addresses.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have rapidly gained popularity as people seek to mask their real IP address and protect their data online.
Proton VPN first shared a Google Trends chart on X showing that interest in its product increased dramatically in Argentina on Tuesday. The next day, Windscribe shared data showing an increase in registrations in the country and suggested that authorities could be restricting “internet freedoms.”
In addition to their paid services, both providers offer free and secure VPN plans, making them popular solutions after sudden website crashes.
David Peterson, general manager of Proton VPN, confirmed to LaComparacion that his service is the most downloaded free application in countries like Argentina at the moment. However, “due to our strict no-logs policy, we have no idea what people use our service for,” he added.
However, Peterson is concerned because it seems that people are also downloading the first VPN they find. “Some of the most popular VPNs in Argentina and Latin America right now carry serious security and privacy issues,” he said, warning that this creates legal and personal risks for users.
Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak also told TechRadar that the team continues to see “elevated enrollments from Argentina.”
Sak believes, however, that instead of blocking the Internet, authorities should take the time to fix an “outdated licensing model” that contributes to the existence of piracy.
“If there are options available at reasonable prices to watch any type of content, in any region, the need to pirate would disappear for many people,” he said, arguing that “it is time for bureaucracy to catch up with modern reality.”
Could VPNs be attacked?
The blocking of the two platforms – Magis TV and Xuper TV – is part of an international investigation led by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice called “Operation 404”. Other efforts have included the seizure of hundreds of TV boxes, with those responsible for their distribution now facing up to six years in prison.
Trying to access these platforms is not only legally risky but also a significant cybersecurity threat. Experts have found that applications linked to the platforms often come from dubious external sources and can facilitate the spread of malware. Extreme caution is therefore required.
While VPN services are not currently a target of Argentine authorities, this could change. Last year, France’s anti-piracy campaigns focused attention on VPN providers, and following a landmark ruling in May, five major brands were ordered to block more than 200 illegal streaming sites. It remains to be seen whether Argentina’s authorities will do the same.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or condone using a VPN service to break the law or conduct illegal activities. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
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